Staff member runs half marathon to raise money for charity

A member of staff has helped raise money for a mental health charity by running a half marathon at the weekend.

Project support officer Isla Sinclair, who works has worked for the Trust for ten years, completed the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on Sunday 8 October for Rethink Mental Illness.

Isla, who completed the 13.2 mile run in under two hours, has been fundraising since 2018 after losing her brother-in-law and a number of friends and colleagues to suicide.

She said: “Rethink is a charity that is really close to my heart and I have been directly affected by the effects of suicide and mental health issues, which had a huge impact on me and my close family.

“I have also been hard hit by life’s up and downs over the last ten years and feel very strongly about helping people with all degrees of mental health to prevent being in a crisis or worse.”

Isla has taken part in lots of fundraising for Rethink and other charities and has done a number of half marathons in the past.

She added: “I suffer with anxiety and fears of big crowds but found that running helps improves and maintains my good mental health.

“So making my way to London alone was a huge achievement for me.

“I have wanted to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon for a number of years. I had a charity place that was deferred due to Covid and I was gutted not to have been able to take place as I was ill on the day.

“I secured my place this year through the Royal Parks Ballot, and in light of it being World Mental Health Day yesterday, I wanted  to use the opportunity to raise whatever I could for Rethink.

“If that means I only raise £20 – I’m happy to have helped.”

If you would like to help, please donate at  Fundraiser by Isla Sinclair : To help anyone affected by mental health (gofundme.com)